59A-B head gaskets

[47COE]

The copper head gasket failed at number 1 cylinder in my truck about 1300 miles after a rebuild.

Looking at it I saw that there are 2 water passages at the front of the block, one between #1 and #2 cylinders, and one in the middle of the head that are substantially larger than the corresponding holes in the head gasket.

It seemed to me that pressure building up at those restricted points could have contributed to the failure.

I see that there are 2 styles of gasket: small hole and large hole as can be seen here: http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sh...er_deluxe.html

But talking to a couple of people here it seems that having small hole gaskets is preferred to send more water to the back of the engine.

So which should I go with: small hole or large hole gaskets. This is for my 47 COE, a working truck that is used to haul loads of a few tons now and then.

Tom

[Ed Pitts]

Tom, I think you want to use the FP7283B for your truck. That is the configuration I am using for my 46 engine. Ed

[Bruce Lancaster]

The gaskets are actually the design point controlling water flow distribution. Some holes are big for manufaturing reasons and coring, some may have been re-tuned with gasket work late in development.
The large gasket heads, 1938-42-WWII (trapezoidal holes near center) actually no longer have any application...if you look in the Ford '37-48 engine manual you will see that engines with the early heads were to have a couple of holes redrilled and then to be fitted with 59A gaskets when worked on. You should use the gasket with all round holes in the center.

[Ol' Ron]

Your engine was originally produced with studs and these have two problems.
One there hard to clean, and two are pron to over torquing. I've re-used the old copper sandwich gaskets dozens of times with out any problems. Check deck and head surface, torque to 45 ft/lbs, re torque after for 3 heat cycles. Use copper coat or Hi Tack.

[Don]

I used the fs7283b from advance auto there are composit gaskets and teck man from fel-pro says put on clean and dry and retorque a couple times.i have allimmun heads is why i went with the composit .

[47COE]

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Thanks everyone. Looks like the consensus is to use the small hole gaskets.

Tom

[47COE]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Your engine was originally produced with studs and these have two problems.
One there hard to clean, and two are pron to over torquing. I've re-used the old copper sandwich gaskets dozens of times with out any problems. Check deck and head surface, torque to 45 ft/lbs, re torque after for 3 heat cycles. Use copper coat or Hi Tack.

I thought the torque specification was 50 to 60 foot pounds for 59A-B cast iron heads.

Tom

[Ol' Ron]

The deck of a Flathead varies in thickness and can distort from over torquing. I never exceed 45 lbs and re torque after after each heat cycles. Makr sure the block and head are clean and flat.

[John Kennedy]

Good info here. I'm a long way from reassembly but good to know.